Are MBA’s fit for purpose?

During my research for my first assignment I came across some papers and a book debating about the best way to learn management skills and behaviours. One of the strongest opinions came from a distinguished professor of a Canadian University. The basic idea of his books is that MBA is the wrong way to train to the wrong people the wrong tricks. He argues that management being a skill can’t be learn in a classroom; instead it needs experience and training on the ground.

Although no body can dispute the fact that experience is necessary in any occupation or profession. Cognitive learning is essential to arm you with the tools and the methodology to understand better your work as a manager and how to improve it.

I disagree with this professor and with some of the published papers challenging the suitability of MBAs. I decided to embark in an MBA, because after 10 years of managerial experience I realized that fundamental frameworks for my career were missing. Because no matter how many courses of finances, accounting and project management you take, you still miss a holistic view and understanding of your work as a manager. Because you actually end up learning more from your class mates than from books and professors who act more as a facilitators than teachers. It is a lot of fun to go back to the University, enjoy the debates and challenge every well-established position or belief including the existence of the MBAs.